Trooper Killed In Crash Called Excellent Driver

Darryl Haywood's Crime-fighting Career Included Years As A Highly Trained New York City Police Officer.

October 4, 2004|By Susan Jacobson, Sentinel Staff Writer

A state trooper killed while chasing a speeding motorcyclist in Volusia County had served in several elite New York City police units, including two that required precision driving.

Darryl Haywood, 49, who retired from the New York force and joined the Florida Highway Patrol in 2000, was on the security staff protecting the police commissioner, and he also served in the department's highway-patrol unit. Both jobs require excellent driving skills, police said.

Haywood, who joined the FHP as a second career after moving to Florida, died Saturday while trying to stop a motorcyclist on Interstate 4 near DeLand. His Camaro, issued to experienced troopers with special training, flipped and hit a tree at what investigators think was more than 100 mph.

Troopers are looking into why his right rear tire, a high-performance Goodyear, separated, said Trooper Kim Miller, a patrol spokeswoman.

"He was a very experienced driver," said Trooper Winston Burnett, who also retired from the New York City police force and became friends with Haywood when both were at the Highway Patrol academy. "I don't believe that it was an error that he made."

The head of the New York Police Department's major-case squad, Deputy Inspector Michael Hines, said Haywood had excellent judgment, an even temper and a strong work ethic. While in the commissioner's protection detail, many of his duties involved advanced driving, Hines said.

Haywood began his career as a patrolman in the Bronx in 1980, police said. Most recently, he worked as a detective, second grade -- a rank held by only about one in 10 New York City detectives, Hines said -- on the prestigious major-case squad. His primary job was investigating bank robberies in Manhattan.

"He was just very good at getting the job done," Hines said. "He did his time in New York City, and at times it's a very tough place to be."

Haywood's wife, Linda, of Palm Coast, released a statement Sunday saying her husband was dedicated to his family and to his career.

"Darryl loved life, and public service," she wrote. "He gave unselfishly of himself to anyone in need. There will always be a tremendous void in our hearts as a result of our loss."

The couple had two children and one grandchild.

Haywood was the second trooper to die on duty this year. Sgt. George A. Brown III, a 33-year veteran of the patrol, died April 27 during a chase in Columbia County.

Saturday's crash began with a motorist's report of a drag race on I-4 between a motorcycle and a Porsche. Haywood was westbound but cut across the median and turned around when he spotted the motorcycle, Miller said. The crash happened about 1:45 p.m. a few miles west of the Interstate 95 interchange, just 31/2 miles after Haywood began going after the motorcycle, she said.

The Porsche had not been located Sunday. The motorcycle driver, Donald Williams, 36, of Seffner, was being held without bail at the St. Johns County Jail on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding and reckless driving. The State Attorney's Office will decide if charges are warranted in connection with Haywood's death, Miller said.

Haywood was named the patrol's trooper of the month in July after he saved a driver from a burning vehicle. He received further praise from a Daytona Beach police sergeant, who wrote a letter to the director of the FHP commending Haywood's compassion and professionalism.

Haywood had notified a Daytona Beach police commander that the commander's daughter had been killed in an accident, and accompanied the man when he went to the hospital to identify the body.